MLS WORKS and ESPN announced the full rosters for the 2016 Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star soccer match. The match takes place on Tuesday, July 26 at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, CA at 5:30 PM PT, just two days before the 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star Game.
For the third year in a row, the Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star soccer match is presented by MLS WORKS and ESPN, and the match will feature athletes representing 18 MLS clubs from the U.S. and Canada. The teams will take the pitch in an East vs. West matchup immediately following the MLS All-Star open training session at Avaya Stadium. The Unified Sports All-Star soccer teams are comprised of players with and without intellectual disabilities, and will play an 11 v. 11 match consisting of two 35-minute halves. The team uniforms for the game will be provided by adidas.
Player rosters and bios can be found by CLICKING HERE. Representing the Houston Dynamo are Matthew Weiser and Hayden Dyson.
ESPN soccer analyst and commentator Taylor Twellman will serve as sideline reporter, providing color commentary and interviews with players and coaches throughout the match. MLS All-Stars will be on hand greeting the athletes as they take the field, and San Jose Earthquakes players will serve as celebrity coaches for both teams, as well as presenting the Unified athletes with medals following the game.
The game will showcase the Special Olympics Unified Sports exchange program, the cornerstone of the ongoing partnership between MLS and Special Olympics North America. Through the Unified Sports soccer exchange program, Unified soccer teams from MLS cities travel to other MLS markets to compete in exhibition matches with their Special Olympics counterparts. Unified matches are scheduled in conjunction with MLS club matches, providing MLS fans with an opportunity to witness first-hand the talents and abilities of Special Olympics athletes. Supporting the matches is ESPN, media partner to both MLS and Special Olympics International and the Global Presenting Sponsor of Special Olympics Unified Sports.
